BuddyPress.org

Perhaps one solution would be a default with which ALL users were automatically subscribed to a single shared sitewide group? … Custom forum groups could be created later.

I find it hard to conceive of why a social networking site would NOT have a single place of communication, e.g. for tech support, newcomers, general discussion.

Why does discussion have to locked up into custom made groups.

This goes against the general level of understanding of most users many of whom will not get technical things and overcome difficulties like joining groups and so on.

“KISS … keep it simple stupid.”